Cooling-tower.



E. BURHORN.

COOLING TOWER.

\ APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6, I912- I 1 171,412, I Patented Feb. 15,1916. I 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I II I I I I I 1: II Qwuawtoz;

E. BURHORN.

COOLING TOWER. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 6, I912.

Patented Feb. 15, 1916 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

,siveness of construction,

EDWIN BURHORN, OF HOIBOKEN, NEW JERSEY.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 6, 1912. Serial No. 718,857.

f0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN BURHORN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hoboken, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new Towers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to cooling towers, or that class of apparatus the purpose of which is to lower the temperature of water which has been heated in the operation of a condensing steam engine, or otherwise.

The objects of the present invention are increased efliciency, durability, ease of cleansing and keeping in repair, inexpenand more particularly, a complete, uniform, bution of the liquid.

The invention hereof consists in the novel devices, features, arrangements and combinations hereinafter set forth and illustrated, and more particularly, the novel distributing means at the top of the frame, and to the novel cooling ation therewit I will first describe one embodiment of my invention and will thereafter point out;

the novel features in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, Figure 1 is an elevation of one form of apparatus embodying my improvements, in which the frame-work has been broken away horizontally at different points, for the purpose of vertically condensing the drawing. Fig. 2 is an elevation view taken at right angles to that of Fig. 1 and showing certain parts in cross section upon the plane 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section of part of the distributing devices shown in enlarged scale. Figs. 4 and 5 show two different modes of constructing and connecting the parts at the ends'of the cool-- ing members in each deck. Fig. 6 is a perspective showing a detail of the construction of one of the distributing troughs. Fig. 7 shows f the details of construction 0 cooling strips comprised in each deck. Fig.

59 8 is a perspective of the separator seen in Fig. 7.

Similar letters of reference designate the and useful lmprovements in Cooling-- and fine distri- I decks in cooperall of the cooled water is gath construction,

corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The frame work per se this invention and it may form, such, for example, as that shown, compris ng vertical members A, A and horizontal members '15 supports the other parts to be referred ,to, and it may be of diflerent sizes, varying, for example, from a tower 4 square, 18 high, to a tower 16x60, with a height of 35. It Wlll be understood that'the frame-work may be covered with netting, or by a series of louvers (as in my Patent forms no part of venting a loss of water by the same blowing out of the tower. The warm water to be cooled may be assumed to be fed through a pipe C which passes and thence to the distributing means, to be hereinafter described more in full.

. Besides the frame-work generally speaking the present cooling tower comprises a distributing means at the top of the tower, one or more cooling decks at desired elevations below the distributing means and a collecting tank D- at the bottom, into which ered, and from which it is led by a pipe use as may be desired.

- Referring first to the distributing means hereof, it is shown to comprise-two cooperating elements, the first being what may be termed a distributing tank of a peculiar and the second being a deck composed of a series of channel pieces be neath the distributing tank. The distributing tank E is in the most elevated position of the cooling tower. Its interior portion 6 is completely boxed in by a bottom, four side walls, anda top plate, so as to constitute substantially a box. The four vertical, or side walls, however, are extended at 6' above the top plate 6 so as to form an open top trough 6 The distributing tank, therefore, can be described as comprising the united box e and trough 6 The water inlet from the pipe C may end of the box 6, as seen in Figs. and the other end of the box may be provided with an opening, closed by a plug a, whereby the same may be opened for the Patented Feb.15,1916. i

take any desired The frame-work No. 973,163 of October 18, 1910) or other means for pre- '86 (Z for such be located at 0 at one 1 and 2,

I to the top of the tower f plate 6 .It is intended that I Y the box 6 is to pass upwardly through the openings 6 into the trough through the umformpressure created bythe pump, or other means of forcing the water through pipe. C. In this way,'the distributing trough is maintained fullof water of equal depth at' all a parts of its length,

' otherwise occurif I;

thus avoiding accumulations-at one 'sideor at one end which might pr fer to adjust the I height of the openings-between the box and i the trough,

- height.

and this may lie-conveniently 110- T complished by means mi. threaded pipe e engaged inv the openings, which may be turned to regulate their The pipes e are shown extending, downwardly toward the bottom of the distributing box 0' with the result that an. air space can be maintained within the box above \the. water level. The maintenance of I this air space will be understood by considering a case with the'pipe e removed. Then the water would flow directly up into the upper chamber. The pipe serves. to trap air in the space 6, which air is susceptible to elastic compressiomfso that it serves as a cushion. This air space is, o'f-advantage as equalizing-variations in water flow by coinpression of air, for which purpose the con-. struction described effectively serves."

Means of controlling the places of overflow of water from the trough e are provided, and while the samemight take various forms, I prefer the eontriv'a'nces or capillary members F indicated. As shown, there may be a series of these overflow controllers on each side of the distributing tank arranged to cooperate with the series of channel pieces inthe deck beneath. In these capillary members or rods, F, I take advantage of the principles of capillary attraction, which I find may be usefully em-- ployed for the purpose stated. Each of the members F is shown as c'onstitutedof a rod bent around upon itself at the upper end and driven snugly onto the top edge of the tank, so as to hug the same and to substantially contact the exterior of the tank throughout itsheight. In the drawings Fig. 3 there is a slight exaggeration of the space between tank E and rod F. The action of these overflow controllin devices is merely that when the trough is lled to overflowing, the rods through their capillary attraction determine as longitudinal fornconvenient purshort pieces of:

- the. points at which the water passes over the vertical wallsand thereby insures that the water being distributed shall pass properly into the channel pieces beneath.

Coming G G, etc., it,will be observed that generally speaking they are arranged transversely of the longitudinal direction 'of the distributing tank E. Each of-the channel pieces constitutes a transverse from side to side of the tower, although I preferably divide each A channel into two pieces, one on each side of the center, as indicated inv Figs. 1 and 3. Above each of the channel pieces G, is one or more of the 80,

capillary rods F, so that the channel is sup plied by means of the rod with a proportionate share of the overflow water from the distributing tank; In this way, since the up l fact, overflowing with water throughout theoperation of the apparatus. In order to control and secure even distribution of the Water overflowing. from each of the channel pieces will be seen on both sides to be provided with notches 9, preferably equally disposed along the length of the channel pieces. In each channel piece all of the notches 9 will be-of equal depth,

so that the water will overflow simultaneously in all of them. v

Since an over rapid supply of Water might cause a flooding of the trough to .an extent beyond the control of the capillary devices,

some means is desirable for controlling the amount of the flow of water from the tank. This control is shown as 'eflected herein by means of an ordinary valve provided in the supply pipe C. This valve will be opened or closed to the point where the over-flow of water from the trough can be taken care of by the capillary devices to secure the described operation.

By the distributing means thus described,

it will be seen that throu bout the entire area of thetower, an even, flue, and uniform distribution of falling water is secured, approaching, indeed, the uniformity of a rainfall; and distribution farther in the manner above de- -scribed the division into small drops or streams can be made as minute as desirable.

From the distributing means the water could-be allowed to fall directly to the collecting tank throughout the entire height of the tower without interruption, but since the fall would through acceleration be quite rapid, the efliciency of the apparatus would be impaired," and I therefore prefer at one or more points to interpose decks or cooling devices serving to interrupt and delay the downfall of the water, and I have shown a coolingdeck composed of a particular form now to the series of channel pieces 70 channel extending 75 of water is continuous, each. of the 85 channel pleces is maintained full, and, 1n

the channel pieces G, 90

by carrying the sub-division or 115 of cooling members which efliciently cooperates with the distributing means hereinabove described. Each of the cooling members H, is of the construction to be below described and all of such members may be arranged in a series parallel with the distributing channels G, as shown. Each member H, may be simply a transverse stri lo- 1 cated to receive streams of water falling from the channel pieces, but I prefer that the cross section of the member H, shall be 7 substantially as shown in Figs. 2 and 7. This cross section may be described as. of a form having a fiat upper surface 72., and a recessed or concaved bottom, as indicated at 71., this bottom being formed substantially by the provision of a pair of opposed ribs or flanges, 72371. along the two sides of the strip. By this design of cooling member, the water received upon its uppersurface is afforded an extensive surface exposure, thereby enhancing the cooling effect and at the same time the stream of water received upon each member H, is in its further passage downward sub-divided into two streams, one falling or dripping from each of the two sides of the member. This arrangement and the passage of the water are well illustrated in Fig. 2 in which the constant subdivision will be perceived. It will be understood that, as above stated, further series or decks of cooling members might be located below the one illustrated, they to be either of smaller size for further subdivision of the streams, or to be of the same size, as shown, but in staggered relation, so that each member in a lower deck will receive part 'of the water dripping from two members in the deck above.

To assist in giving support to the cooling members H, properly spaced from each other a series of spacers, or separators, I, may be employed, as indicated in Figs. 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Each of these spacers or separators may consist of a horizontal member 71 and a downwardlyextending flange z". The separators I, serve not only to space apart the cooling members H, but may be ward warping, and when placed at the end, as shown they close up the opening between the strips, to minimize the loss of water by blowing out of the tower. If desired, thespacer could be combined with an angle iron, as indicated at I, Fig. 1, thereby en- .abling the same to be bolted in place. When that is not done, a, separate angle iron I maybe employed, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5. For giving support to the ends of the'membe'rs- H, might be employed simply supporting angle irons J, as in Figs. 1, 2 and 4:, or the different structure shown'in Fig. 5 could be employed.

In apparatus-of this class, there is sometimes atendency for the water to beiblown employed also to overcome any tendency toendwise along the strips and forced outside of the tower, with a corresponding loss. To avoid this, I have provided horizontal gutters K, located as shown across the ends of the members H, and bolted for convenience to the angle irons J. The water that would otherwise be lost and blown away enters the gutter K, and is therefrom returned to the interior of the tower, by

means, for example, of pipe It, leading from the gutters K, as clearly indicated.

In the modlfication of Fig. 5, the sup-.

porting angle iron and gutter are combined a number of streams of water, one or more of which pass to each of the vessels or channel pieces G. These vessels having overflow notches, divide the water into a plurality of further downwardly flowing streams which are seen to strike substantially centrally upon the respective cooling members H, where the water is not only superficially exposed, but is further subdivided into two separate streams. These continue their descentand are further similarly treated, in subsequent cooling decks.

By theabove described apparatus, the objects heretofore set forth are attained, and other objects as well, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

It is manifest that many of the details referred to may be indefinitely varied, and some features of invention may be employed without others; wherefore I do not desire to be restricted to features or details, excepting as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a cooling tower the combination with elevated water distributing means, of a series of cooling members arranged in parallel manner to constitute a cooling deck, a cooling deck below said deck, adapted to receive water directly therefrom, and a gutter beneath the ends of said members for receiving water therefrom and delivering it to the said deck below.

2. In a cooling tower the combination with elevated water distributing means, of a series of cooling members arrangedin parallel manner to constitute a cooling deck,

and a combined separator andangle iron, as I, for holding the members and maintain-. ing them apart.

3. In a cooling tower the combination with elevated water distributing means of a series of cooling members arranged in parallel manner to constitute a cooling deck, and a combined gutter and angle iron, as

K, for supporting said members and receiving water from their ends. r 4. In a cooling tower the combination with elevated water distrlbutlng means, of

a series of cooling members arranged in parallel manner to constitute a cooling deck,

and overlying T-shaped separators having their vertical portions depending between 0 the cooling members and adapted and located for maintaining the members apart. ,7 In testimony whereof l have 'affix'ed my signaturein, presence of 'tvvo'witnessesr 1 v EDWINBURHO'RN;

lVitness'es: i

ABRAHAM 1FELT,- ALBERT RUSENBERG. 

